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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Enigma
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
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 Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: Teaching at a very small elementary school |
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I've been offered a job at an elementary school in a very rural area. The school only has about 40 kids. I went to check it out on the weekend and it seems like it would be a great school to teach at. I can think of a lot of reasons it would be a really good experience. I was also told that I would not have a co-teacher (which I think is great).
However, I'm hoping some of you that have taught/are teaching at a small public school could tell me a bit more about what it's like. I've never taught at a public school (I'm currently at a hagwon), so I'm not really sure what to expect.
My chief concern is communication. Although I'm studying Korean regularly, I'm still very low and can not yet hold any kind of conversation. Of the teachers I met at the school, one of them spoke a little English, but not enough for us to have any real conversation.
I'm worried that I'm always going to feel out of the loop, and find out about everything at the last minute.
Isolation is also a factor, but I think that's something I'll be able to handle.
Any info or advice you guys could give me would be great.
Thanks a lot |
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harlowethrombey
Joined: 17 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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If you take it I'm sure you're korean will improve by leaps and bounds 
I say take it. Be a big fish in a small pond. Small class sizes, probably an easy work load, some beautiful nature. Sounds good.
As it is a very rural place you will have to really structure your lessons (I'm just guessing the students' English level will be quite low and with no co-teacher to help you they will get lost if your instructions are too long/detailed). |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching at a very small elementary school |
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| Enigma wrote: |
| I'm worried that I'm always going to feel out of the loop, and find out about everything at the last minute. |
That's standard even in a city school with a co-teacher/handler who is almost fluent in English.  |
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nene
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do
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| Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching at a very small elementary school |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| Enigma wrote: |
| I'm worried that I'm always going to feel out of the loop, and find out about everything at the last minute. |
That's standard even in a city school with a co-teacher/handler who is almost fluent in English. |
Agreed. My primary school is 400 students, and I teach at another with 12 (no, 14 now this year). Last semester, at the main school, I had a coteacher who was conversational in English, but I never knew anything, was never helped, it sucked. At the small school, my co-teacher, who really struggled with English, went out of his way to include me in lesson planning, make a bound English copy of the textbooks, etc.. This semester, it's the same thing at the little school, but I have a much better coteacher at the main school. It's all about the individuals, and I suspect that often they'll be nicer at a tiny school. I felt in the loop at my hagwon, as much as there was a loop. I know very few people that feel in the loop at their PS of any size. With PSs, so much of it is a crap shoot. If you were able to visit your school, and you liked the feel, I say go for it. |
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refikaM
Joined: 06 May 2006
Location: Gangwondo
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| Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject: small school |
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| I teach at a small (85 sts) rural elementary school after teaching 2 years at a medium-size (1000 sts) MS in a larger city. Little English is spoken here, but if there's something important, I'm informed in some way or another.. Luckily my new liason teacher's English is much better than my former LT.. Anyway, I find the people here to be much more personable, appreciative, and warmer than at my former school. They seem to really care for my well-being, and I'm complimented often on my teaching and efforts (a rarity before)... However, I am sometimes left not informed about smaller less-important events or issues. Guess they feel some things just aren't worth the explanations... It's mostly good, though.. I must admit. They all seem to work well as a team, and for the most part I'm part of the team.. (unless I don't know about it... : O ) Anyway, there's a good chance it'll be a nice experience. Good luck! |
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